The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management

The Horse Course: Introduction to Basic Care and Management

University of Florida

About this course: There are over 100 million horses, donkeys and mules in the world today and owners of these animals can be found on almost every continent and in almost every society. The Horse Course will cover many unique aspects of equine ownership and touch upon the science behind many of today’s management practices.

Welcome to Week 1 of The Horse Course! To start off the course, we will begin discussing what exactly an “equid” is. We will cover the many equine species inhabiting our globe. Next, we’ll jump into the history of horses and donkeys, touching upon how they have made such an impact on our own societal development. The second half of week 1 will cover the many breeds of horses and donkeys. We will finish up with a lecture on the equine hybrids.

7 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz

Reading: Week 1

Video: Welcome to The Horse Course

Video: Introduction to the World’s Equids

Video: Evolution of Horses and Donkeys

Video: Roles of Horses and Donkeys in Human Development

Video: Breeds of Horses

Video: Breeds of Donkeys

Video: The Hybrids

Discussion Prompt: Horses and Donkeys

Practice Quiz: Week 1 Quiz

WEEK 2

Basic Equine Physiology

This week will start out with covering some basic physiology. We will then advance into hoof anatomy and care. This will lead to spending a lecture discussing laminitis, a serious hoof condition in horses and other equids. The final two lectures will jump into the various coat colors and markings in horses.

The topics this week will focus on equid behavior and movement. Understanding how equids relate to their environment and communicate is critical to training and management. We will start this week by examining the basic equine senses and communication. Then we will discuss normal and abnormal behaviors and the basic psychology used in training. We will finish the week discussing the basic gaits and how these animals move.

8 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz

Reading: Week 3

Video: Week 3 Welcome Video

Video: Equine Senses

Video: How Horses and Donkeys Communicate

Video: Typical Equine Behaviors

Video: Abnormal Equine Behaviors

Video: Basic Psychology in Training

Video: Gaits

Discussion Prompt: Domestic Horse/Donkey Behavior

Practice Quiz: Week 3 Quiz

Video: Week 3 Assignment Instructions - Training Plan

Graded: Training Plan Assignment

WEEK 4

Feeding Management

The topics this week will focus on equid nutrition. Understanding how and what to feed these animals is one of the most important aspects of basic care. We will start with digestive anatomy, how to evaluate your animal’s nutrient requirements, and then jump into feeding management. We will round out the week discussing colic and other nutritional disorders.

8 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz

Reading: Week 4

Video: Week 4 Welcome Video

Video: Equine Digestive Anatomy

Video: Evaluating Body Condition

Video: Nutrient Requirements

Video: Components of an Equine Diet

Video: Pasture Management

Video: Colic

Discussion Prompt: Feeding Horses/Donkeys

Video: Week 4 Assignment Instructions - Feeding Plan

Practice Quiz: Week 4 Quiz

Graded: Feeding Plan Assignment

WEEK 5

Maintaining Equine Health

The topics this week will focus on equine health. Monitoring and taking care of your animal’s health is critical to owning any equid. We will start off with the normal equine vital signs and then we will discuss administering first aid to your animals. We will then cover the different parasites and diseases that can afflict these animals. Finally, we will end the week discussing some common genetic disorders.

8 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz

Reading: Week 5

Video: Week 5 Welcome Video

Video: Equine Vital Signs

Video: First Aid

Video: Internal Parasites

Video: External Parasites

Video: Equine Diseases

Video: Equine Genetic Disorders

Discussion Prompt: Emergency Situations

Practice Quiz: Week 5 Quiz

Video: Week 5 Assignment Instructions - Health Management Plan

Graded: Health Management Plans Assignment

WEEK 6

Breeding Management

The topics this week will focus on equine reproduction. Breeding is an important component of the equine industry. We will start off this week with some basic anatomy, including what makes the equids unique. Then we will cover the estrous cycles of mares and jennies, followed by common breeding systems used throughout the world. After discussing unique aspects of equine pregnancy and parturition, we will finish out the week covering some management tips for taking care of the newborn foal.

8 videos, 1 reading, 1 practice quiz

Reading: Week 6

Video: Week 6 Welcome Video

Video: Equine Reproductive Anatomy - Female

Video: Equine Reproductive Anatomy - Male

Video: Estrous Cycle

Video: Breeding Systems

Video: Pregnancy

Video: Parturition

Video: Post Foaling Care

Discussion Prompt: Horses and other Mammalian Species

Practice Quiz: Week 6 Quiz

FAQs

How It Works

Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from Your Peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material,
and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends,
colleagues, and employers.

Creators

University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in academic excellence, both on campus and online. Ranked in the top 20 of Public Universities, the University of Florida is the state’s oldest university and has a long established tradition of academic excellence.

Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 of 289 ratings

EW

Fun and informative course

Fantastic course, I enjoyed every minute of it. Not only does it give in-depth information on horse care, nutrition, breeding, pasture management.. basically what you need to know to work with horses or start a horse business. I loved it and I hope there will be a follow-up or specialization available soon.

VC

As important as the assignments were, for those of us not purchasing the course they take a lot of time and therefore I'm sure I'm not the only one to opt not to do any of them

CM

Great course! I doubted about the course, because I haven't equid animal and meet them very periodically. But, actually I got a lot important information. Moreover, the lector is great - he explains very popular and interest. The games help to remember learning material. I advice to take this course for everybody who is interested in animal.